Tai Chi is a series of gentle physical exercises and stretches

Unique

First impressions of this man would likely be that he was a kind man with a
friendly smile - and he was. He greeted everyone as they entered the doors
of the Creekwood Church of Christ building, offering a church bulletin, a
warm welcome, and a smile. He was known to be a rather quiet and
mild-mannered man, but there was so much more to Al Warsh. He was very
unique. Here are a few examples of his uniqueness:

Al was a skydiver in his younger years. He jumped out of an airplane and
parachuted to the ground some 1,250 times. No, he wasn't in the military;
he did it for fun.

Al practiced Tai Chi. "Tai Chi is a series of gentle physical exercises and
stretches. Each posture flows into the next without pause, ensuring that
your body is in constant motion. Tai Chi is sometimes described as
meditation in motion because it promotes serenity through gentle movements -
connecting the mind and body" (from www.mayoclinic.org). Al taught Tai Chi
to others so that they could receive the physical and mental benefits of the
exercises.

Al was a grade checker. "A grade checker works in the construction
industry, typically on roadways, to set grade stakes meant to guide
equipment operators on sloping highways and embankments. In this career, you
set these grade stakes using hand tools, measuring instruments, and using
specified ratios" (from www.ziprecruiter.com). A friend and fellow
engineer told Al's wife, Eunice, that Al was the best grade checker in
California.

Al was an alcoholic. By the grace of God and with the help of Alcoholics
Anonymous, he was sober for over 40 of the last years of his life. Al knew
what it was to battle the addiction and sought to help others in their
struggles. He worked as a volunteer with AA, beginning in the late 1980s.
He mentored many alcoholics. He ran the AA office in Mobile for many years.

Al was a Christian. He recognized that despite the mistakes of his past
that God loved him and desired to save him through the gift of His Son
Jesus. Al obeyed the Gospel and embraced the love and grace that are found
in Christ. He sought to follow in the steps of Jesus by serving God as he
served others. Countless lives have been blessed because of Al's kind and
compassionate care.

Like Al, every person is unique. You are unique. And each of us is
uniquely loved by God. God doesn't want anyone to perish (2 Peter 3:9) but
desires all to be saved (1 Timothy 2:4). Our sins condemn us, but God loves
us and has made provision for our salvation through the death of His Son on
the cross (Romans 5:8).

God will save and give eternal life to those who place their faith and trust
in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turn from their sins in repentance (Acts
17:30-31), confess Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10), and are baptized
(immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38). He will
continue to cleanse from sin those who continue to walk in the light of His
Word (1 John 1:7-9).

Each of us is unique and uniquely loved by God. Like Al Warsh, may each of
us accept God's love, grace, and salvation by submitting our lives to Him
and living out our days in service to others.

-- David A. Sargent

* In Loving Memory of Alan James Warsh (June 14, 1947 - August 4, 2022).
Until we meet again.

David A. Sargent, Minister